“That was… enlightening.”
His smirk turns into a full-blown smile, and it takes my breath away. “I’d use a lot of adjectives about what just happened, butenlighteningisn’t one of them.”
“Yes. Well, I don’t have a thesaurus on me.”
“There’s one in my office. You could accompany me there.”
“In your office?” I raise an eyebrow, the aftereffects of my orgasm making me bold. “You would, wouldn’t you?”
“Yes,” he says. “As would you. My desk is big enough.”
“But not tonight.” I turn, though it hurts, and start heading toward the staircase. To where both of our bedrooms are, separated by a hallway and two doors without locks.
No distance at all.
“Cecilia,” he calls.
“Yes?”
“I have a dinner tomorrow with business associates.”
I put out a hand to lean against the wall. His eyes clock it, just as they do the flush in my cheeks. His lips curl into a half-smile.
“Oh,” I say. “How exciting.”
“Will you come with me?”
I swallow. “As your wife?”
“Yes.”
“I will.”
* * *
“Thirteenpaintings,” Nadine says. “Do you realize how much money that is?”
“Yes,” I say. “Well, almost. I saw what you sold them for.”
“It’s not beer-money. It’s not even rent-money. It’s rent-for-a-year-money!”
“Even with the commission the gallery is taking?”
“They’re just taking ten percent! Jake told me they usually request thirty, but because it was such a last-minute booking, they’re charging ten. “
“Jake said that,” I say.
“Yes. He said he was happy to meet you, by the way. That it was clear you and I are great friends.” Her voice turns bashful. “I have a confession to make.”
“Out with it,” I say. With my headphones in, I can talk to Nadineandsurvey my closet. Despite having the guest bedroom, it’s big enough to house a small futon in the center.
“I think Jake might be interested in me.”
I laugh. “Oh, do you?”
“Yes. I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be! I guessed that the second I met him.”